Atmospheric dust collector



y 1, 1953 E. s. REID 2,645,941

' ATMOSPHERIC DUST COLLECTOR Filed June 19, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. ELLIOTT G. REID A TTORNE). m

July 21, 1953 E, G, REID 2,645,941

ATMOSPHERIC DUST COLLECTOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 19, 1952.

as 2 W as as 254 I as as u u j 0 1 36 Q4 2f 34 36 4 27 I30 I I30 I22 I06 22 59 1 63 56 i o o o o o 62 62 INVENTOR.

: ELLIOTT G. REID 64 64 y ATTORNEY,

y 1953 E. e. REID 2,645,941

ATMOSPHERIC DUST COLLECTOR Filed June 19, 1952 s Sheets-Sheet :s

INVENTOR. ELLIOTT REID BY I Maw-

ATTORNE).

Patented July 21, 1953 3 2,645,941 ATMOSPHERIC DUST COLLECTOR Elliott G. Reid, Palo Alto,Calif., assignor to the United States of America as represented by the United States Atomic Energy Commission Application June 19, 1952, Serial No. 294,350

Claims. (01. 73170) I The present invention relates to an airborne device for collecting samples of atmospheric dust.

With the advent of atomic weapons it has become increasingly important to obtain samples of atmospheric dust. For such purpose an airborne device has been provided which is mounted within a streamlined body which, in turn, may be mounted on the external surface of an aircraft, preferably on the top thereof with no objects forward on the aircraft to disturb the airstream. Mounted within such body is a rotatable cylinder having an intake opening and an outlet with a filter disposed across the path therebetween. There is also provided means for removing and replacing filters while the aircraft is in motion.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide anew and improved device for collecting samples of atmospheric dust. I

Another object of the invention is to provide a dust sampling device which may be mounted on the external surface of an aircraft.

A further object of the invention is to provide an airborne dust sampling device wherein the flow of air therethrough is readily controlled.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an airborne dust sampling device having a collection filter which may be readily changed while the aircraft is in flight.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be readily'apparent in the following description and claims considered together with the accompanying drawing, in which: i

Figure 1 is a perspective View of an aircraft with the present invention mounted thereon;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the assembled invention of Fig. 1; V i

Figure 3 is a sectional plan view taken below the cover plate of Fig. 2 and with the cylinder in the intake position;

Figure 4 is a sectional plan view similar to Fig. 3 with the cylinder rotated to the closed position;

Figure 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, and detailed view as enclosed within the circle 5 of Figure 10 is a sectional elevation of the invention, taken along the line l0l0 of Fig. 3; 1

Figure 11 is a sectional fragmentary view of the cylinder locking mechanism as enclosed in the circle i I of Fig. 10;

Figure 12 is a bottom view of the mechanism of Fig. 11; and

Figure 13 is a sectional fragmentary view of the locking mechanism for the filter holding structure enclosedin the circle [3 of Fig. 10.

Referring to the drawing in detail, and to Fig. l in particular, there is provided a streamlined device 2| for collectin samples of atmospheric dust which is mounted upon the outer surface of an aircraft 22. Preferably the device 2| is vertically mounted on the top surface of the aircraft 22 in such a position that there are no objects mounted forward thereof to disturb the airstream. Such device 2| comprises, in general, a rotatable cylindrical forward portion 23, a fixed streamlined after-body 24, and a cover plate 26.

The afterbody 24 may be formed of an aluminum sheet 21 folded along a center line with the two portions thereof extended along smooth curves symmetrically disposed about a line XX (see Fig. 3) and with the extended sides spacedapart a distance substantially equal to the diamportion of the sheet 21 extended toward the tail structure of the aircraft. means, such as aluminum angles 29 having a Suitable mounting strip form, may then be riveted to both the aluminum sheet 2'l and the fuselage skin of the aircraft 22 to maintain the afterbody 24 in'a rigid position thereon.

To support the elements of the cylindrical forward portion 23 there is provided a circular base ring 3| (see Figs. 9 and 10) having a flange 32 extending transversely from the outer circum- 36 of the plate. also provided with a semicircular flange 31 extending upward therefrom. As a partial cover ference thereof. A cylindrically formed sheet 33 3 there is suitably mounted, as by rivets or the like, on the upwardly extended flange 31 the bottom portion of an elongated semicylindrical sheet 38 of lightweight material, such as aluminum.

Two elongated nose castings 4|, having substantially right-angular cross section (see Figs. 3 and 4), are suitably mounted, in opposing relation, transversely on the circular plate, 34 and in spaced-apart symmetry with respect to a diameter of such plate which is transverse to the diameter spanned by the sides of the cover sheet 38. Also, it is preferable that the elongated edges of the nose castings 4| be rounded to conform to the curvature of the circumference of the circular ring plate 34. The nose castings 4|, thus disposed, provide a diffuser through which atmosphere may flow with a minimum amount of turbulence. To maintain the position of the nose castings 4| and also to strengthen the cover sheet 38, a plurality of ribs 43 having a substantially U-shaped form are provided. The end of the legs of the ribs 43 carry fittings 44 which may be respectively fastened to the nose castings 4| by nuts 46, while the cross member thereof is provided with a semicircular flange 41 to receive rivets extending through the cover sheet 38.

Two elongated exit castings of L-shape and having one rounded side are suitably mounted on the circular plate 34 at the extremities of the diameter thereof spanned by the sides of the cover sheet 38 and extended parallel to the nose castings 4|. To strengthen the position of the exit castings 5| suitable bolt fasteners 52 are provided between the castings and the ribs 43. Preferably the rounded side of the exit castings 5| are spaced apart from the nose castings 4| and provide therebetween an elongated opening through which air entering the cylindrical portion 23 may escape. To complete the general plan of streamlining insofar as the cylindrical portion 23 is involved, the edges of the semicylindrical sheet 38 are faired into the respective exit castings SI and two sheets 53 of similar material, such as aluminum, are provided to be faired into and suitably mounted between the legs of each of the nose castings 4| along the circumference of the cylindrical portion 23. Also baffles 54, of aluminum sheet or like material, may be mounted between the exit castings 5| and the aluminum sheet 38 to provide minimum internal turbulence of air flowing through the chamber thus formed.

For the purpose of permitting access to the internal chamber of the cylindrical portion 23 and control of the position thereof from the inside of the aircraft 22, the circular base ring 3| is rotatably mounted within an opening 56 in the fuselage of the aircraft 22. Such mounting may be readily accomplished by securing with bolts 51 a retaining ring 58 about the opening 55 in such a manner that a circular channel is provided to rotatably retain a flange 59 extended from the circumference of the base ring 3| in the plane thereof. Preferably the bearing surfaces of the flange 59 of the base ring 3| are lubricated by providing grooves 6| connected to grease fittings 62 by communicating passages 63. Two handles 64 are bolted to the base ring 3| in diametrically opposing relation and are extended toward the interior of the aircraft 22. Thus the cylindrical portion 23 is freely rotatable from the inside of the aircraft 22.

For the collection of dust particles from the atmosphere, it is only necessary that the cylindrical portion 23 be rotatable to two different positions. One such position, to be referenced as the closed position, is characterized by the diffuser formed by the two nose castings 4| being rotated so that no air can enter and the other such position, to be referenced as the open or intake position, is characterized by the diffuser being rotated to a forward position to permit the entrance of air thereinto. To permit accurate position control of the cylindrical portion 23 from the inside of the aircraft, a pair of oppositely disposed locking mechanisms 66 are mounted on the inboard sides of the base ring 3| and the retaining ring 58 (see Figs. 10, 11, and 12). Such locking mechanisms 66 may comprise a housing 61 suitably mounted, as by bolts, on the base ring 3| and having a bolt 68 extending therethrough parallel to the base thereof. One end of the housing 61 is provided with plug 69 which limits movement of the bolt in one direction and, to limit movement in the other direction, a pin H is mounted on the bolt to extend transversely therefrom through a longitudinal slot 12 in the housing 61. To maintain the bolt 68 in an extended position a compression spring 13 is mounted about the bolt between the plug 69 and pin 1| and to provide means for locking the bolt in a withdrawn position a second slot 14 extends transversely of the longitudinal slot 72 to allow entrance of the pin. A cooperating keeper 18, having an opening 1'! to engage the extended end of the bolt 68, is suitably mounted, as by bolts, on the retaining ring 58. By proper positioning of the two diametrically opposing looking mechanisms 68 the two positions of the cylindrical portion 23 may be manually obtained from within the aircraft 22 by degrees rotation.

A top plate 8| having a circular configuration is suitably mounted on the uppermost portions of the cover sheet 38, nose castings 4|, and exit castings 5| to provide further strengthening of the structure and to carry a centrally disposed tubular journal 82. The cover plate 26 is rigidly mounted on the top portion of the afterbody portion, as by angles 83 riveted thereto, so as to have a flush fit at the tail portion and a curved forward profile with a slight overhang (see Figs. 2, 9, and 10). Mounted on the cover plate 28 is a smoothly contoured covering 84, of lightweight material such as balsa wood, to provide a minimum of resistance to passage through the air. Rigidly mounted within the cover plate 26 is a tubular bearing 86 disposed to receive the journal 82.

Disposed within the forward portion 23 is a removable filter holding structure which comprises, in general, a central tubular shaft 9|, a bottom plate 92, a plurality of intermediate plates 93, an upper plate 94, and a sheet of filter paper 96. The upper plate 94 is mounted upon the shaft 9| at one end thereof and is fastened in position by a hub portion 91 having a plurality of apertures through which pins 99 may be extended to engage openings in the shaft. A pilot 99 is provided to be inserted at one end into the end of the shaft 9| and to engage the inner dimension of the journal 82 thereby properly centering the shaft in the cylindrical forward portion 23. The intermediate plates 93 are similarly mounted on the shaft 9| at spaced-apart positions with the distance between the lowermost thereof and the upper plate 94 being substantially equal to the elongated dimension of the nose castings 4|. Preferably such plates 92, 93, and 94 are disposed with a straight portion of the periphery thereof spanning the space between the nose castings 4| substantially at the innermost projection thereof 5 and with a substantiallycircular portion extending rearward from the straight portion (see Figs. 3 and 4). A plurality of parallel wires [M are 'swaged into aligned slots about the curvedperiphery'of the plates 93 and 94 to form a substantially semicircular cage open only at the throat of the diffuser. v

To lock the foregoing structure within the cylindrical forward portion 23, the circular bottom plate 92is suitably secured to the lowermost intermediate plate 93, as by bolts, and is provided with a locking mechanism I06 (see Fig. 13). Two oppositely disposed blocks I01 suitably. mounted along a diameter of the bottom plate 92 carry bolts I08 radially extended through bores I09 therein. Each bolt I08 is provided with'a transverse arm III which extends through a slot 2 in, the respective blocks I01 parallel to the bolt therein. Disposed to receive one end of such bolts I08 are keepers H3, having bores I I4 therein suitably mounted on the circular ring plate 34. A movable sleeve H6 is provided about the lower extended portion of the shaft 9| To control the position of the bolts I 08 links I I1 are respectively and pivotally connected thereto at one end by pins II8 and at the other end pivotally connected by pins II9 to the-uppermost portion of the sleeve I I6. Th length of the links H1 is chosen so that the bolts I08 engage the keepers 3 when the sleeve is maintained in the uppermost position. Thus by sliding the sleeve H6 downward on the shaft 9| the bolts I08 are withdrawn from the keeper and the unitary filter holding structure mounted on the shaft 9| may be removed from the cylindrical forward portion 23 of the device. Preferably both the sleeve I I6 and the shaft 9| are grooved so that a snap ring I2I disposed within the groove of the latter will expand to maintain the sleeve in the uppermost position with the bolts I08 engaging the keepers II3.. Also for ease in grasping the sleeve II6 when removing the filter holding structure a portion I22 thereof may be knurled. A stop ring I26 is mounted, as by set screws, onthe shaft 9| such as to limit the downward position of the sleeve II6. .To prevent air and particles dispersed therein from entering the aircraft 22 a gasket I21 of resilient material isdisposed between a flanged portion I28 of the bottom plate 92 and circular ring plate 34. Two guide pins I29 (see Fig. 9) suitably secured, as by nuts, to the bottom plate 92 and intermediate plate 93 secured thereto, are provided to project through oppositely disposed and aligned bores in flanged portions I30 of the sleeve H6. 7

With the structure described in the, foregoing assembled in the manner set forth, the sheet of filter paper 96 may be disposed about the semicircular cage formed by the parallel wires'IOI. To maintain such filter. paper 96 in position against the pressure of incoming air there is provided a carrier therefor which comprises in general a frame, having two rigid side members I3I and I32 and two flexible side members (not shown), and a wire mesh I34 mounted therein. Preferably on of the rigid side members I3I is an elongated metallic strip having a right angular cross-section with one of the legs adapted to slidably engage a slot I36 extending longitudinally in one of the nose castings 4I substantiall along the apex thereof. One side of a piano type hinge I31 (see Fig. 5) is soldered along the inside face of the rigid side member I3I and strips of spring stock in the form of springs I38 are soldered to the opposite face to press against such hinge 142 having enlarged heads thereon.

such filter carrier structure unitary with the above-described filter holder structure the rigid side member I3I is secured, as by screws, to'the top and intermediate plates94 and 93, respectively.

Provided as a fastening means for the other rigid side member I32 is an elongated metallic strip I4I having a right angular cross-section and being similar in such respects to the rigid side member I-3I (see Fig. 6). One of the legs of the angular strip MI is adapted to slidably ride in a slot in the other nose casting 4I along the apex thereof while the other leg issecured, as by screws,-to the top and intermediate plates 94 and 93, respectively. Mounted on the leg of the angular strip I4I, intermediateof the points of attachment to the plates 94 and 93 and on the opposite side therefrom, are a pluralityof pins The rigid side member I32 is provided with key-hole openings I43 which'ar in alignment with the pins I42 and may be slipped thereover to contour the Wire mesh I34 about the cage formed by the parallel wires IOI. To look the rigid side member I32 to the angular strip I4I a substantially triangular aperture I46'is'provided adjacent each of the key-hole openings I43 to engage the cocentric head I41 of a pin I48. To rotate the pin I48 there is provided a lever I49 secured at the other end thereof. Preferably the pin I48 and lever I49 are assembled so that when the lever is parallel with the angular strip I the eccentric pin I48 has'forced the narrow portion of the pin I42'into the narrow portion ofthe key-hole opening I43. To maintain the locked position of the lever I49 a strip spring I5I" having an indented portion is secured, as by screws, transversely on the metallic strip I4I so that the lever rests in such indented portion. Thus the filter paper 08 may be firmly held against the parallel wires IN by means of the wire mesh I34 and held firmly along one side by means of the hinge I31 and springs I38 and along the other side by angular strip I4'I. 1

Now consider the invention as suitably installed the pressure between the rigid member I32 and upon the surface of an aircraft 22. Prior to taking off from the home base it is preferable that the cylindrical forward portion 23 be rotated so that no air can enter the diffuser formed by the two nose castings 4I.- A filter may be inserted either before 'or after the aircraft 22 is airborne and the procedure is the same in both instances. It is 'to be noted that the air intake between the nose castings M is positioned above the fuselage of' the aircraft'22 a certain distance which is determined by the thickness of the sluggish layer of air adjacent the fuselage.

With a sheet of filter paper 96 in place a sample ofatmospheric particles may be collected by roforward portion 23 is in the intake position the diffuser formed by the nose castings 4| is at the location of greatest pressure whereas the exit opening formed between the exit castings 5| and the adjacent portion of the nose casting is at the location of minimum pressure. In such manner, then, air enters through the diffuser and fiows through the filter paper 96, leaving particles thereon, to exit through the exit opening. After sufficient time has elapsed for a representative sample to have been collected the cylindrical forward portion 23 is again revolved, in the manner set forth above, by 180 degrees to the closed position.

Should it then be desired to remove the sheet of filter paper 96, it is necessary to force the sleeve H6 downward to withdraw the bolts I08 from the keepers I I3. Such action permits withdrawal of the filter holding structure as a unit through -the opening of the base ring 3 l. Next it is nccessary to rotate the levers I49 to release the rigid side member I32 from its position against the angular strip MI. The sheet of filter paper 96 may then be readily removed and a new sheet inserted. Reassembly of the apparatus for obtaining a second sample may be readily accomplished by following the reverse of the foregoing procedure.

While the salient features of the present invention have been described in detail with respect to one embodiment it will, of course, be readily apparent that numerous modifications may be made within the spirit and scope of the invention and it is therefore not desired to limit the invention to the exact details shown except insofar as they may be defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An airborne device for collecting samples of atmospheric dust, comprising a housing mounted rotatably on the fuselage of an aircraft, streamlining means mounted about said housing to minimize air turbulence, means mounted within an opening of said housing to provide a diffuser opening, means mounted within opening in said housing and disposed substantially 90 degrees on either side of said diffuser means to provide outlets, a sheet of filter pipe disposed within said housing between said diffuser and outlet means to collect dust particles, and means connected to said housing for selectively locking said housing in intake or closed position.

2. An airborne device for collecting samples of atmospheric dust, comprising a cylindrical housing mounted on the fuselage of an aircraft, streamlining mean disposed about said housing to'minimize air turbulence, means mounted with in an opening of said housing for forming an air intake, means mounted within two diametrically opposed openings of said housing for forming air outlets, a removable filter mounted within said housing between said air intake and outlets to collect dust particles, and means connected to said housing for rotating said housing to an intake and a closed position.

3. An airborne device for collecting samples of atmospheric dust, comprising a cylindrical housing, means mounted at one end of said housing for rotatably mounting said housing within an openin in the fuselage of an aircraft, streamlining means disposed about said housing to minimize air turbulence, means mounted within an opening of said housing for forming an air intake, means mounted within two diametrically opposed openings of said housing for forming air outlets, a removable filter means mounted within said housing between said air intake and outlets to collect dust particles, means connected to said filter means for securing said filter within said housing, and means connected to said housing for rotating said housing to an intake and a closed position.

4. An airborne device for collecting samples of atmospheric dust, comprising an elongated cylindrical housing, means attached to said housing for rotatably mounting said housing within an opening in the fuselage of an aircraft transversely thereof, streamlining means secured to said fuselage and partially disposed about said housing to minimize air turbulence, means mounted within an opening of said housing for forming an elongated air intake, means mounted within two diametrically opposed openings of said housing for forming air outlets, a removable filter holding structure disposed within said housing, a sheet of filter paper disposed partially about said structure between said intake and outlets, screen means hingedly mounted at one side to said structure and adapted to clamp along the opposite side thereof to said structure for maintaining said filter in position against said structure, and mean mounted on said housing and extended within said aircraft for rotating said housing to an intake and a closed position.

5. An airborne device for collecting samples of atmospheric dust, comprising an elongated cylindrical housing rotatably mounted within an opening in the fuselage of an aircraft, streamlining means mounted on said fuselage and partially disposed about said housing, means mounted within an opening of said housing for forming an air intake, means mounted within two diametrically opposed opening of said housing for forming air outlets, a filter holding structure adapted to be disposed longitudinally with said housing between said air intake and outlets, a locking mechanism controllable from inside said aircraft and mounted between said structure and housing to provide a unitary structure, a filter removably secured to said structure, and means mounted on said housing within said aircraft for rotating said air intake from a high pressure area to a low pressure area.

ELLIOTT G. REID.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,058,659 Bellanca Oct. 27, 1936 2,468,021 Black Apr. 26, 1949 2,492,768 Schaefer Dec. 27, 1949 

